Wildfire

Community landscapes are changing at an increasingly rapid pace. Whether in rural landscapes of deep southeast Georgia or the vast openness of Georgia’s farmlands, or in wildland-interface expansions found in regions surrounding Atlanta, Macon and Savannah, the demands being placed upon land, ecosystems, watersheds and environments are forever going to change them.

Land fragmentation, natural disasters, increasing risk of wildfires along the rural-urban interfaces, storm water run off and heat-islands (areas formed when cities replace natural land cover with pavement, buildings, and other infrastructure) effects are just a few of the challenges facing us today in Georgia.

These changes placed upon the land and natural resources today create new challenges as well as opportunities. Society will need to find ways to handle and create sustainability and balance between societal needs and nature’s capacity and capabilities. It is imperative that natural resource managers, planners, developers, community decision-makers and residents face these changes head-on.

City dwellers are moving to rural-urban interface areas and bringing with them city concepts and expectations. Many need to learn about the natural landscape in which they are placing their families and homes.

As natural landscapes become more fragmented by human activities, the capability of ecosystems to naturally be protected from damaging wildfire is greatly diminished. Historically, healthy forested environments, open plains or grasslands experienced fire in their ecology. For thousands of years these dynamics played important functions in their succession. Fire kept the grasslands open and full of native grassy flora. Fire kept the pine regions of Georgia healthy and viable. Moreover, fire kept back the intrusion of invasive plants and animal species that, when unimpeded by fire, would gradually take over—pushing out native vegetation. These non-native vegetative species burn hotter and longer which causes more damage to the ecology when fire occurs.

Humans have built homes and communities that intermingle with forests and open grasslands, altering the natural cycle of fire. This is being seen today as firefighters are trying to control the wildfires not only in the Okefenokee Swamp, but all around the State of Georgia. High levels of explosive growth of wax myrtle, palmetto and gallberry and some non-native species blend into the understory.

Thus, with increased volatile fuel types in the landscape and a natural disaster like a hurricane, that can cause hundreds, if not thousands, of trees to be blown down or to be broken off, — “adding fuel to the fire” became a reality. These heavy fuels from the blown down or broken trees being added to the already volatile fuels creates an even greater risk of catastrophic wildfire for residents, landowners and even entire communities.

Agencies such as the Georgia Forestry Commission are helping landowners understand the importance of maintaining ecologically sound ecosystems on their properties. These landowners, property owners, and even residents in subdivisions may own one-to-10 acres located in the rural-urban interface. Where the natural environment meets development, new challenges are created for the natural resource manager. Instead of several owners of large acreages, there are now many hundreds of owners of smaller properties with houses and outbuildings. These small woodlots need attention to maintain their health in a new setting, which is unlike the historic forests and vegetation covers found before the 1800s. In rural-urban interfaces or otherwise fragmented landscapes, yards are now becoming the new ecosystems.

Some of the innovative tools being used today to protect communities are strategic planning and preparedness for neighborhoods, communities and villages. Plans lay out the framework to address fuels found in the community (the only condition for preventing wildfire that people have direct control over); to educate landowners about what to do when a natural disaster hits the area; and to provide assessments on property and homes. These assessments teach landowners to recognize and deal with invasive plant species, install green fire breaks, and practice safe debris removal and burning, thereby enhancing general forest and community tree health. These and a host of other important elements can be tackled in a comprehensive preparedness plan.

Fire needs three conditions to function: fuel, oxygen and heat. By removing the fuel, you can reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. A resident can simply trim and prune trees in their yards and remove any debris. Also, good stewardship may require the removal of some healthy trees and landscape vegetation or even the redesign of the landscape toward a more wildfire and wildlife friendly landscape. Consult with your local certified arborist or forester about the principles of Firewise (www.firewise.org) landscaping.

Developers and community planners can help by designating multiple entrances and exits in neighborhoods, strategically positioning water sources and roads near homes in developments, and creating green fire breaks by using hiking and biking trails or leaving green space areas with a defensible space between the homes and wild areas.

Green building, also known as sustainable building, addresses practices that lend themselves to concepts and practices that reduce operating costs by increasing the efficiency of a building, promoting use of fire resistant siding, double and triple glass pane windows, and energy efficiency and water conservation. Such practices will lead to improved health due to improved indoor air quality and will reduce environmental impacts by, for example, lessening the amount of storm water runoff and the heat island effect.

Finally, when thinking of making your home or community a safer environment in which to live, remember there are experts willing to assist. Give the Georgia Forestry Commission a call at 1.800.GA.TREES or visit www.gatrees.org.

Editor’s Note: Photo of Waycross fire is from Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2152 - phone: 706.542.2686